Requests for Masses
It is a long-held tradition within the Church that a priest is asked to offer up the Sacrifice of the Mass for specific intentions. This tradition has in recent memory tended to fade a little. To have a mass offered is to give thanks and praise for a blessing that has been received or to ask that the freedom and grace won by Jesus’ death of the Cross and celebrated in his resurrection be imparted for someone who is sick or has died. Praying for the Holy Souls is a great act of charity and reminds us that the Lord is the Lord of all, living or dead. When requesting a mass, it is usually accompanied by a stipend which is an offering to the priest. If he does accept the request, he enters a contract to celebrate a mass or series of masses if a stipend is given. He is at liberty to accept or decline the request. In some cases where he has too many mass intentions, he may send the surplus to fellow priests who have fewer or no mass stipends. It is to be noted that the stipend is taxable as it forms part of the priest’s means of income. While there is no set amount for a mass stipend as it is an offering it is suggested that £10 be sufficient.
Kindly note that at present dates up until mid-June are no longer available as all have masses booked.
